JP2011509452A - Cooling system for electronic modules cooled by contact - Google Patents

Abstract

Various embodiments disclose systems and methods that provide cooling of electronic components, such as electronic modules. The system includes one or more cold plates configured to be thermally coupled to one or more of the electronic components. Each of the cold plates has a cooling fluid flowing therein through at least one passage. Thus, the cooling fluid removes heat from the electronic component primarily by conductive heat transfer. Input and output headers are attached to opposite ends of the passage to allow cooling fluid in and out. Input and output headers are attached to the external system to circulate cooling fluid.

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This application is filed on December 19, 2007 and is entitled “A Cooling System for Contact Cooled Electronic Modules”, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety in US Provisional Application No. 61/008, Insist on a priority profit for 136.

  The present application relates generally to computing and storage system cooling, and in particular example embodiments relates to a system and method for cooling a modularly developed system without the use of forced air.

  Enterprise computing and storage systems are increasingly developed as modular systems with standard form factor electronic enclosure modules mounted on standard support structures. A standard electronic enclosure module may be dedicated to perform any of a number of different functions such as computing, storage, or networking. The housing module is typically mounted on a standard support structure such as a 19 inch (approximately 0.482 m) or 24 inch (approximately 0.610 m) wide rack. Such enclosures are generally industry standard 1U (1.75 inches, approximately 4.45 cm), 2U (3.5 inches, approximately 8.89 cm), 3U (5.25 inches, approximate) 13.3 cm), or 4U (7 inches, approximately 17.8 cm). Often, the reason for the adoption of larger 2U, 3U, or 4U modules is to increase reliability with airflow for improved cooling and to provide space for more adapter cards can give.

  Such modular housing is conventionally air-cooled. The enclosure draws air from the room in which the enclosure is provided by a fan that accelerates the air and cools the component to air that traverses the internal components of the enclosure. The resulting superheated air is exhausted and returned to the room. The room air itself is circulated through an air cooler or a computer room air conditioner (CRAC) and is subsequently cooled by a refrigeration system. Even for medium power systems, a great deal of air must be moved out of the room through modules, racks, and CRACs. Fans typically use 25 percent of the total power consumed by modules and racks. CRAC fans consume an additional 0.1 watts per unit watt of load. This cooling burden is taken over by the refrigeration system and consumes an additional 0.3 to 0.4 watts per unit watt of load. The latter load can be increased by mixing warm and cold air in the room and can further reduce cooling efficiency. Collecting all these impacts, including power conversion and distribution losses, typically 2.8 watts per unit watt of power consumed by a server's computing section is currently delivered to best-in-class data centers. Require that you have to. In many data centers, up to 4 watts must be supplied.

  Despite spending a large amount of energy in flowing air, the thermal resistance to the cooling fluid through the air cooler from inside the electronic device to the modular electronic enclosure is still high, typically 0.5 ° C / From watts to 0.7 ° C./watt. This results in a large temperature drop from the device to the cooling fluid. For example, a 120 watt processor having a path with a thermal resistance of 0.5 ° C. to the cooling fluid produces a 60 ° C. temperature drop. In order to keep the temperature of the device case at 70 ° C., the cooling fluid temperature should not be higher than 10 ° C. This requires a refrigeration cycle that absorbs a significant amount of energy.

  If the thermal resistance could be reduced, then the temperature of the cooling fluid could be raised, resulting in improved thermal efficiency of the entire cooling infrastructure. In some cases, the refrigeration system will sufficiently increase the allowable temperature of the cooling fluid and be replaced by a natural cooling system such as a cooling system caused by evaporation of water in the cooling tower or dissipation into groundwater.

  Fluids are sometimes used to cool electronics, but no fully integrated, modular, reliable, simple, and cost effective solution has emerged. The points to overcome include difficulty in installation and maintenance, modularity and scalability, reduced reliability due to many fluid contacts, difficulty in applying technology to existing products and environments, and cooling Ensuring a low impedance path from the power device to an external cooling device.

  Each of the accompanying drawings is merely an example of an embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope.

It is a front view of the example of a cooling framework. 4 shows four plan views of an example of a cold plate. FIG. 6 is a detailed front view of an example of a cold plate and manifold assembly. FIG. 5 is four front views of an example cold plate assembly manufactured as a stand alone cold frame. 1B is a perspective view of an example of the cooling framework of FIG. 1A mounted on a conventional device support structure. FIG. It is a front view of the drawer slide mechanism used for insertion and lifting of a module by a support structure. It is a side view of the drawer slide mechanism of FIG. 3A. FIG. 5 shows a front view of an example embodiment of a cold plate mechanism used to engage and disengage the module in a neutral flat position above the module. FIG. 5 shows a front view of an example embodiment of a cold plate mechanism used to engage and disengage a module, showing that the cold plate is bent toward the module. FIG. 6 shows a front view of an example embodiment of a cold plate mechanism used to engage and disengage a module, showing that the cold plate is flattened when the module is pushed against the cold plate. It is a side view of an example of a plurality of cold plate lever attachments. FIG. 6 is a front view of an example of a cold plate in a neutral flat position above the module. FIG. 6 is a front view of an example cold plate showing a cold plate that bends away from the module, thereby releasing the module. FIG. 2 is a front view of an example cold plate showing a cold plate that flexes and flattens on the module while thermally engaging the module. FIG. 5B is a front view of an example of a cold plate in a neutral flat position on a module having a different engagement and disengagement mechanism than that of FIG. 5A. FIG. 6 is a detailed view of an example of a tube to plate / tube engagement mechanism. FIG. 6 is a side view of a fluid filled bag function as an example of a thermal interface material (TIM) between a module and a cold plate. FIG. 5 is a side view of a fluid filled bag function as an example of a TIM between various module components and a cold plate. It is a side view using the example of the flat heat pipe as a 2nd cold plate. FIG. 4 is an example of an embodiment of a TIM placed on a module and configured as a thermal pad and thermal fluid sandwich.

  The following description includes exemplary systems, methods and techniques that encompass examples of various embodiments defined by this disclosure. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of various embodiments of the present subject matter. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In addition, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail.

  As used herein, the term “or” can be interpreted in an inclusive or exclusive sense. Similarly, the term “example” is merely to be understood as meaning any example or example and not necessarily a suitable means of achieving the objective. In addition, while the various exemplary embodiments discussed below focus on thermal cooling systems for electronic components, the embodiments are given merely for clarity of disclosure. Thus, any type of thermal cooling application is considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

(Overview)
A fluid cooling system that removes heat from the computer and is fully integrated into an environment directly connected to the remote cooling device solves many of the problems associated with air as a cooling medium. The energy required to operate the fan is omitted, reducing the energy cost of the data center by 30% or more. Computational density can be raised to near physical limits and can be limited only to accessibility requirements. A fluid cooling system has little impact on the ambient conditions surrounding the system and is potentially much quieter than an air cooling system. When changing the arrangement of the device, neither a specific room setting modification nor room cooling is required. Large data processing systems can be deployed in environments that were not previously possible due to harmful heat emissions and noise emissions.

  For the purposes of describing the present disclosure, the term “fluid” includes conventional liquids, such as water and liquid, gas, or phase change refrigerant fluids that may be in a liquid-gas mixed state. In the simplest case, the fluid can be used to transfer heat from a location that is difficult to cool with air to a location that is easy to cool.

  In an example embodiment, a system for providing cooling to an electronic component, such as an electronic module, is disclosed. The system includes one or more cold plates that are thermally coupled to one or more electronic components. Inside, each of the cold plates has a cooling fluid flowing inside at least one passage. The cooling fluid thus removes heat from the electronic component primarily by conductive heat transfer. Input and output headers are attached to the opposite ends of the passages to allow cooling fluid to be introduced and discharged. The input header and output header are attached to an external system to circulate the cooling fluid.

  In another example embodiment, a flexible cold plate arrangement is disclosed that allows the electronic module to be cooled primarily by conductive heat transfer. The flexible cold plate includes a plurality of tubes coupled adjacent to each other to form a substantially planar structure. The plurality of tubes are arranged so that the cooling fluid can flow inside. First and second manifolds are coupled to opposite ends of the plurality of tubes. The first and second manifolds are connected to a circulation source to provide circulation of cooling liquid in the plurality of tubes. The flexible cold plate is bent with respect to the module to provide a small thermal resistance.

  In another example embodiment, a method for cooling an electronic device module is disclosed. The method includes mounting each of the electronic device modules to at least one cold plate formed in the support structure to provide good thermal contact between the two components. The cold plate is connected to an external cooling system, and the cooling fluid circulates between the external cooling system and the internal passages of the cold plate to cool the electronic module mainly by conductive heat transfer.

  In another example embodiment, a method for cooling an electronic device module is disclosed. The method includes attaching a thin flexible cold plate in the vicinity of the electronic module. The cold plate has spring-like properties to allow the cold plate to bend to provide a convex surface towards the electronic module. Next, the cold plate and the electronic module are brought into thermal contact with each other by gradually flattening the convex surface toward the electronic module.

  Various embodiments of the present disclosure can utilize outside air conditioning to keep the cooling gas at a temperature that is cold enough to cool the case. If many equipped computers are used in the data center, via a nearby cooling system and room environment to keep the air temperature at the low temperature necessary to sufficiently cool the hot electronic components, As always, a large amount of air must be moved. It would be advantageous to have a means for conducting this heat directly from the case to the fluid means carrying the remote cooling device.

  Various embodiments of the cooling structure described herein are designed to be used with, for example, modular computing systems or other electronic systems. The cooling structure includes a support structure having a cold plate that can be connected to a conventional data center cooling system via a fluid-to-fluid heat exchanger. The support structure may be based on a conventional 19 inch (approximately 0.583 m) device commonly used to accommodate computing servers and other electronic devices. Such a support structure is adapted to include a hollow shelf framework through which the cooling fluid circulates. The hollow shelf functions as a cold plate to which electronic devices can be thermally attached to remove waste heat primarily by heat conduction.

  Upon reading the disclosure provided herein, other types may be used, for example, by convection or radiation, and depending on the proximity of at least a portion of the cold plate to a modular computing system or other electronic system. It will be appreciated that the thermal cooling of can occur. The fluid is cooled in a heat exchanger and pumped into a manifold in the framework. The fluid is then directed to the cold plate through a series of auxiliary pipes and connectors. The fluid absorbs heat from the module, passes through one of the one or more connectors, exits the cold plate, goes to the collection manifold, and then to the heat exchanger.

  The support structure includes means for inserting and removing the electronic device module ("module") from the framework and means for thermally contacting the module to one or more cold plates. There is no need to make piping connections to insert or remove modules.

  The module can be cooled primarily by conductive heat transfer to the external cold plate. The module includes electronic components or subassemblies that are in thermal contact with the sides of the module and thus in contact with the cold plate. Alternatively, one side of the module may be open facing the electronic component or subassembly that is in direct thermal contact with the cold plate. The contact surface between the cold plate and the modular is not necessarily perfectly flat or coplanar, can be non-rigid and flexible, and is known as thermal grease, or (generally, independent of the art) A compliant thermally conductive substrate, such as an elastic pad (referred to as thermal interface material (TIM), known separately and independently of the art), may be inserted into the contact surface. .

  The thermal resistance from the cooling fluid in the cold plate to the module is 2 ° C / W / square inch (approximately 0.31 ° C / W / square centimeter) in the thermal interface region between the module side and the cold plate side. May be smaller. A heat flow of 10 W / in 2 (approximately 1.55 ° C./W/in 2 cm) on the modular side results in a maximum temperature increase of 20 ° C. For a module having a well-configured internal cooling system, the module case temperature may be about 50 ° C. The cooling fluid temperature can therefore be as high as 30 ° C., which can greatly reduce energy consumption. With engineering improvements, the thermal resistance from the fluid to the module can be reduced to below 0.5 ° C / W / square inch (approximately 0.078 ° C / W / square centimeter), providing additional energy Allow savings. In such a system, the refrigeration system could be replaced with a natural cooling system, such as a cooling system provided by evaporation of water in the cooling tower or dissipation into groundwater.

  The equipment module is enclosed in a conventional electronic enclosure such as a 1U compute server, enclosure with other form factors (sometimes referred to as a chassis or pod), or a server blade or bare server motherboard. There may be no system. The side surface of the module to be cooled may be any side surface, but in the description herein, a top lid (top lid) structure is assumed.

  The cooling fluid may be water, a mixture of water and glycol, a refrigerant such as R134A, or various other cooling fluids known independently of the art. In the case of refrigerants, the “cold” fluid entering the framework may be essentially the same temperature as the “hot” fluid present in the framework, and heat is transferred via phase changes rather than temperature changes. Absorb.

(Framework)
With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B simultaneously, the exemplary cooling framework 100 includes a plurality of cold plate shelves 101. In certain example embodiments, each of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 is horizontal. However, there is no requirement for this particular direction. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize how to properly modify other components when other directions are required.

  Each of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 is made of one or more flat tubes 102 (FIG. 1B) arranged to be substantially coplanar. Each of the one or more flat tubes 102 includes a segment of a cold plate shelf. The segment completely includes each cold plate, the first manifold pipe 106 (shown as embodiments 106A, 106B, 106C, 106D) and (shown as embodiments 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D). Interconnected and terminated by a second manifold pipe 108. The one or more flat tubes 102 may be a multi-port rectangular design that includes a plurality of small tubes tied adjacent to each other for strength and flatness when operating at high coolant pressures.

  In the example embodiment, the first manifold pipe 106 is connected to the input header 107 (FIG. 1A) and the second manifold 108 is connected to the output header 103 at the other end to allow cooling fluid incident on the input header 107 to flow. It is possible to flow to the output header 103. The input header 107 may be further subdivided into sections 107A and 107B as described below.

  The input header 107 and the output header 103 are conventional in which the first manifold 106 and the second manifold 108 are inserted and welded or fixed in other predetermined positions to form a leak-free connection. It may be a pipe or manifold. Each of the input header 107 and the output header 103 has an input connector 104 and an output connector 105, respectively, for sending coolant to or drawing from the external cooling system.

  In another example embodiment, the input header 107 can be subdivided into independent sections 107A, 107B, where the input and output connections are the same header but made through different sections. The fluid will be routed from one header section through some of the tubes to the output header 103 and back to the second section of the input header 107 by another tube. For example, if input header 107 is divided into independent top section 107B and bottom section 107A, the input connection may be made on top section 107B. The fluid flows through the top shelf to the output header 103 and the fluid then flows back through the bottom shelf to the bottom section of the input header section 107A. From there, fluid flows to output connection 105B and to the cooling system. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are many other possible variations and embodiments of split header and flow combinations, including opposing flow directions with different tubes in the same shelf. Let's go. Such variations are intended to be included herein.

  The output header 103 may be eliminated by causing each of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 to warp to form a “U” -shaped structure that lies on the sliding slope, creating two shelves. In such a case, the output header 103 is excluded. Various options and alternative embodiments including a serpentine structure with one or more bends, thereby reducing the number of headers and manifolds required to build the system and reducing the number of joints in the assembly However, those skilled in the art can easily conceive.

  FIG. 1B shows a top view of four examples 101A, 101B, 101C, 101D of an embodiment of a plurality of cold plate shelves 101. FIG. For the first embodiment of cold plate 101A, a cold plate segment consisting of one or more flat tubes 102 connects to a first manifold 106 and a second manifold 108. The fluid enters the first manifold 106A via the input header 107, flows through all the cold plate segments, and exits at the output header 103 to the second manifold 108A. Fluid enters from one corner of the cold plate and exits at the opposite corner to balance the fluid flow between the cold plate segments. The cold plate of the second embodiment 101B is configured similarly to the cold plate of the first embodiment 101A, but is mounted at a right angle.

  The cold plate can be configured so that fluid flows into less than half of the cold plate segment and back through many segments. This allows room for expansion for refrigerant phase changes from liquid to gas. In another embodiment 101C, fluid is directed to the tube 102B by the inlet manifold 106C. The fluid flows through the tube 102A to the manifold 109, where the fluid is distributed to a plurality of additional tubes 102A and flows to the outlet manifold 108C. Although each of these cold plate embodiments shows one to four plate segments, those skilled in the art will recognize that any number of plate segments may be used.

  In another embodiment 101D, a flexible pipe 114 is applied to the cold plate manifolds 106D, 108D to accommodate cold plate distortion without applying excessive strain to the input header 107 and output header 103. . The flexible pipe 114 is made from a flexible material and may include “U”, “S”, or other bends (not shown) for further strain relief.

  FIG. 1C is a detailed front cross-sectional view showing how one of the one or more flat tubes is inserted into the first manifold 106 pipe and the second manifold 108 pipe.

  Referring to a further embodiment shown in FIG. 1D, the output header 103 and input header 107 and the first manifold 106 and second manifold 108 have been deleted. One or more flat tubes 102 forming a plurality of cold plate shelves 101 are placed in holes in a reinforced metal box 111. This arrangement forms a rigid box with several steps. The reinforced metal box 111 replaces the output header 103 and the input header 107 and the first manifold 106 and the second manifold 108. Each reinforced metal box 111 has an inlet connection 113 and an outlet connection 113 on each side. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other methods of plate support and interconnection are possible and are therefore contemplated herein.

  If the output header 103 and the input header 107 are replaced with rectangular boxes, some areas 110 may have brackets attached to allow for the mounting and cooling of additional auxiliary components or subsystems. good. Additional auxiliary components or subsystems can include items such as power supplies and network switches that have a different form factor than the modules described herein, and can also benefit from contact cooling.

  Although not shown, other various embodiments readily conceivable by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the disclosure provided herein include a wider shelf containing multiple modules, or a shelf that is vertical and the modules are Including rotating the cooling framework so that it is mounted vertically rather than horizontally. Modules may also be mounted on either side of the shelf to halve the number of shelves required for known applications.

(Module size)
Standard 1U server module: 1.75 inches high (approximately 4.45 centimeters), 19 inches wide (approximately 0.483 meters), 24 inches deep (approximately 0.610) Meters), the shelves are arranged, for example, at intervals of 2 inches (approximately 5.08 centimeters). This spacing provides vertical isolation to fit the shelf thickness, the module with the TIM mounted on it, and the space to slide into place without disturbing the TIM. Other module sizes may be selected for specific applications. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modules having other sizes can be readily used by adjusting the shelves accordingly. Since no space for air cooling is required inside the module, a very thin module with a height much less than 1.75 inches (approximately 4.45 centimeters) can be developed and a standard 1U module Allows very dense computing and storage systems that allow spacing, or where spacing is less than 2 inches (approximately 5.08 centimeters).

(Module insertion and support slide)
Referring now to FIG. 2, an example cooling framework 100 is mounted on a conventional support structure 201. Each of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 may be mounted in and supported by an equipment rack rather than a header or reinforced metal sheet. In such cases, the conventional support structure becomes an integral part of the cooling frame.

The support structure 201 is a single metal frame structure that includes four uprights joined together by cross members at the top and bottom surfaces to form a hollow, rectangular box. A drawer-type support slide 202 is attached to the opposing side of the support structure 201 between each of the plurality of cold plate shelves 201 between the front upright and the back upright. The module (not shown) is mounted on a drawer-type support slide 202 and the module can easily slide horizontally into and out of the support structure 201.

  A drawer-type support slide 202 may also be used to adjust the height of the module to closely fit against the lower surface of one of the cold plate shelves 101 that is adjacent. Each module is completely slid before being lifted so that the shelf is in contact therewith. Similarly, the module is lowered before it is removed. This ensures smooth operation and possible damage to the TIM mounted on the top side of the module by ensuring that the cold plate and TIM do not rub against each other during insertion or removal Eliminate.

To attach the module to the support structure 201, the module is first mounted over a pair of drawer-type support slides 202, outside the front surface of the support structure 201, in a position where the slides are fully extended. Is done. The pair of drawer-type support slides 202 with the modules attached is then slid back into the support structure 201 so that the modules are thus placed directly under their respective cold plate shelves. The module is then lifted to an operating position opposite the cold plate by use of a lifting mechanism. Or the plate is lowered towards the top surface of the module.

  Although a modular lifting structure such as a modified drawer slide as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B may be used, many other mechanisms are available to those skilled in the art and are included herein. You will understand that.

  FIG. 3A shows a front cross-sectional view of one variation of a drawer-type support slide 202 and its fastener to the module 310. The drawer-type support slide 202 includes three elements. That is, typically, a support bracket 202A connected to the front upright and back upright of the support structure 201, a fixed slide rail 202B attached to the support bracket 202A by using a plurality of fasteners 306, and FIG. 3B The slide rail portion 202C is loosely attached to the module 310 using a plurality of pins 305 inserted through the slits 303 and 304 illustrated in the slide rail portion 202C. A plurality of pins 305 are rigidly attached to the module 310, but are allowed to slide in the slits 303,304.

  The slits 303, 304 have a profile that defines the vertical motion of the attached module 310 as a function of the horizontal motion of the slide rail portion 202C relative to the module 310. Slit B lifts module 310 immediately after the start of movement of module 310 and completes the vertical movement before completion of movement of module 310. The slit A does not start lifting the module 310 until the movement of the module 310 reaches a certain level. These slits are, for example, 4 inches long (approximately 10.2 centimeters), and each slit is a 2.5 inch (approximately 6.35 centimeter) portion of the module 310 whose movement is different. Lifts 0.1 inch (approximately 2.54 millimeters). The coupling motion produced by these two slits provides incremental contact, first lifting the back of the module 310 and then lifting the front of the module 310, so that the TIM on the top surface of the module and multiple cold plate shelves The air is expelled from the space between 101 adjacent ones. When the module is removed, the process proceeds in reverse, first the front of module 310 is lowered and then the back of module 310 is lowered. This movement causes the module 310 to gradually separate from the adjacent one of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 from front to back, so that any adhesive force between the module 310 and the cold plate is minimal force. Will help you to beat.

  In order to insert the module 310 into the support structure 201, the slide rail portion 202C first inserts the plurality of pins 305 into the slits 303 and 304 so that the plurality of pins 305 are at the rightmost position of the slits 303 and 304. By attaching to the module 310, the module 310 is mounted. At this point, the slide rail portion 202 </ b> C will protrude to the front surface of the module 310 by the length of the slits 303 and 304. Each of the slide rail portions 202C having the mounted module 310 then engages with a respective pair of fixed slide rail portions 202B so that the module 310 is completely within the support structure 201 and cold. Slide completely into it so that it lies under the plate. At this point, the slide rail portion 202C still protrudes from the front surface of the support structure 310 by the length of the slits 303 and 304. The slide rail portion 202C on each side of the module 310 is then pushed back by the handle 31 to slide the pins 305 to the leftmost position 305-2, thus lifting the module 310.

  Each of the plurality of pins 305 may be, for example, a pin, a bolt, a spacer, or a type of screw mechanism that provides a slide surface while fixing the slide rail portion 202C to the module 310. Some or all of the plurality of pins 305 may use wheel bearing means or a low friction bush such as nylon to facilitate a smooth sliding motion.

  Those of ordinary skill in the art, after reading this disclosure, will appreciate the many obvious alternatives that can be used to place a lever module in place, such as a rod with a cam or screw mechanism, for the use of a slider as a lifting mechanism. It will be easy to notice that there is. Absence from this description does not imply that such a mechanism is excluded from the present invention.

  The amount provided by the vertical motion and locking mechanism to force the module 310 strongly against the cold plate will not always be the same. Thus, a spring mechanism or other bounce structure may be provided to absorb extra motion and applied force when the module 310 is lifted in place. For example, there are many ways in which a metal spring, rubber-like grommet on the support member, flexibility built into the support structure, TIM compliance, or cooling plate flexibility can be used.

  4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate various embodiments for achieving compliance and good thermal contact between the module 310 and an adjacent one of the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 by bending the cold plate shelves. An example is shown.

  In a series of these embodiments, the plurality of cold plate shelves 101 are flexible and via various support and spring mechanisms including a plurality of suspension brackets 402, levers 403, mounting brackets 404, spaced wedges 407, Individually mounted on the support structure 201. In FIG. 4A, the cold plate 101 includes one or more flat tubes 102 made from, for example, a thin, flat, soft aluminum tube that is approximately 0.08 inches (approximately 2.03 millimeters) thick that bends easily. . A flexible steel plate 406 that is about 0.035 inches thick (approx. 0.889 millimeters) is fastened to the cold plate using mounting brackets 404 and fasteners 405. The steel plate 406 functions as a flat spring, prevents bending deformation, and gives structural strength to the aluminum cold plate. The mounting bracket 404 is further mounted on the spaced wedge 407, which is further mounted on the lever 403. The lever 403 is suspended from a suspension bracket 402 attached to the support structure 201. Moving the lever 304 away from the suspension bracket 402 bends the cold plate away from the module 310, but moving the lever 403 closer to each other causes the cold plate to bend down toward the module 310. .

  The length of the lever 403 can be smaller than the spacing of the shelves, but to reduce the horizontal force applied to the support structure 201 that is required to bend the cold plate, it is not necessary to lengthen the lever 403. It is advantageous. Lever 403 is typically less than the height of the two modules and is approximately 3.5 inches (approximately 8.89 centimeters) in length. The lever 403 moves along the suspension bracket 402 from 0.1 inches (approximately 2.54 millimeters) to 0.3 inches (approximately 7.62 millimeters) depending on the application, approximately 2 to 6 degrees. Rotate. This forces the cold plate to bend vertically 0.1 inch (approximately 2.54 millimeters) to 0.5 inch (approximately 12.7 millimeters) vertically downward toward the module 310. .

  The levers 403 at each stage are arranged so that adjacent levers do not interfere with each other. This is accomplished by mounting the levers at an angle as shown in FIG. 4D so that they do not interfere with the levers above or below each as they move along the suspension bracket 402. Is done. The plurality of suspension brackets 402 are attached to the support structure 201 vertically and vertically. A plurality of connection points 409 attach the lever 403 to the mounting bracket 404 outside the vertical line defined by the suspension bracket 402. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the suspension bracket 402 may be arranged in other configurations, such as a “U” shape, to avoid interference in other ways than angling. All such lever configurations that avoid interference are virtually understood to be disclosed herein.

  With continued reference to FIGS. 4A-4C, a plurality of different types of modules 310 may be envisaged that are suspended under each of a plurality of cold plate shelves 101 on a drawer-type support slide 202. The TIM 411 is introduced between the cold plate 101 and the module 310 by placing the TIM on the top surface of the module 310. In this position, there is a relatively large space, generally between 0.1 inches (approximately 2.54 millimeters) to 0.2 inches (approximately 5.08 millimeters) between the TIM 411 and the cold plate 101. )

  When the levers 403 of FIG. 4B are pushed toward each other along the suspension bracket 402, a rotational force is applied to move the cold plate 101 and thin flexible steel plate 406 toward the module 310 and the module-attached TIM 411. Bent down. Bending forms a convex interface under the cold plate 101. When module 310 is then lifted as shown in FIG. 4C, TIM 411 is forced to be placed against cold plate 101. When the module 310 is lifted, the convex cold plate 101 is now gradually flattened over the top surface of the module 310, providing a distributed pressure across the wide TIM / cold plate interface, so that the module surface is completely planar. If not, ensure good thermal contact. The convex cold plate gradually contacts the TIM 411 and eliminates trapped air. Flattening the cold plate with such pressure pushes the end and slightly lengthens the cold plate. This extension of 0.003 inches (approximately 0.076 millimeters) to 0.03 inches (0.76 millimeters) is absorbed by the compliance of lever 403. Similarly, when module 310 is lowered, it gradually opens and gradually defeats any adhesive force with minimal force.

  The lever 403 may be permanently fixed in place by a cold plate 101 bent into place and contacts formed by lifting the module in place. Alternatively, module 310 may be held at a fixed height and cold plate 101 may be lowered onto module 310 by moving cold plate 101 downward. There is another way to fix the distance between the module 310 and the cold plate 101 and bend the cold plate 101 using the lever 403 until the cold plate 101 contacts the module. Alternatively, a combination of bending and vertical movement of the cold plate 101 may be used. To simplify operation, one of the pair of levers 403 may be permanently fixed while the other of the pair is moved to install or remove the module 310.

  As one skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the steel plate 406 may be replaced with another material having suitable flexibility and springs. Similarly, the tube aluminum may be replaced by another material. Separate steel springs may be eliminated by properly quenching the tube so that the tube has the appropriate spring-like properties.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate upon reading this disclosure, there are many possible ways of constructing the suspension bracket 402 and lever 403, as well as methods and mechanisms for moving the lever 403. The present disclosure is therefore intended to include all such means, methods and mechanisms. This includes, but is not limited to, configuring suspension bracket 402 as a screw mechanism, using a cam and sliding lever mechanism, or attaching suspension bracket 402 to lever 403 and moving suspension bracket 402.

  5A, 5B and 5C show another example of an embodiment that creates thermal contact between the cold plate and the module. For this series of embodiments, the entire motion mechanism is less than 2 inches (approximately 5.08 centimeters) high and fits within the height of one module. As shown in FIG. 5A, the operating mechanism for the module 310 is mainly placed on the cold plate 101, beside the module 310B located just above the module 310. A standard 1U module (which can be stacked at a vertical spacing of 1.75 inches (approximately 4.45 centimeters) without cold plate insertion) is therefore 2 inches (approximately 5.75 inches) including the cold plate mechanism. (08 centimeters) vertical spacing, or smaller vertical spacing.

  Similar to the mechanism described in FIGS. 4A-4C, module 310 is mounted under a cold plate on a drawer-type support slide 202 attached to a support structure (not shown). Attached to the upper surface of the cold plate 101 is a thin and flexible steel plate 509 having similar characteristics as described above for the thin and flexible steel plate 406. In this embodiment, a thin and flexible steel plate 509 extends beyond both ends of the cold plate 101 and is integrally formed with the lever as shown. The lever is formed by being bent into a U shape at the end of a thin and flexible steel plate 509 and used for controlling the bending operation of the cold plate 101. A thin and flexible steel plate 509 is clamped by a plurality of bottom steel rods 505 extending through the space in the cold plate 101 and beyond the front and back surfaces of the cold plate 101, and the cold plate 101 is made of two steels. Hold tightly between the layers.

  Further, a thin and flat steel plate 509 may be attached to the cold plate 101 to provide additional stiffness. The plurality of bottom steel bars 505 have round steel extensions 504 projecting forward and backward of the cold plate, the round steel extensions 504 passing through horizontal grooves in the support structure. These grooves (not shown) support the cold plate 101 and allow horizontal movement and rotation, but limit vertical movement to less than 0.01 inches (approximately 0.254 millimeters). With these grooves, the space 507 between the lower surface of the cold plate 101 and the upper surface of the TIM 411 can be carefully controlled. For this embodiment, the space 507 is between 0.03 inches (approximately 0.762 millimeters) and 0.15 inches (approximately 3.81 millimeters).

  The camshaft 503 of FIG. 5A is made from a round rod 501 having a diameter of approximately 0.25 inches (approximately 6.35 millimeters) that serves as the rotational axis of the camshaft 503. A round pipe 502 having a diameter of about 0.75 inches (approximately 19.1 millimeters) is mounted off-center around the round rod 501 to form a cam. Round rods 501 are mounted at least two locations relative to the support structure, fixing the position of the rods and limiting rod movement to simple rotation. The size that controls the interoperation of the module 310, the cold plate 101 and the camshaft 503 is highly accurate by referring to and mounting each of the components on the same support structure (not shown). It is controlled by.

  Each camshaft 503 fits snugly under each of the U-shaped bends formed in the extension of the thin flat steel plate 509 extending out from the front and back of the steel plate in its neutral position. A round rod 502 used to form part of the camshaft rotates eccentrically around a round rod 501 that functions as an axial shaft. A quarter turn of the camshaft 503 causes the round pipe 502 to apply pressure to one wall of the U-shaped bend, 0.2 inches (5.08 millimeters) to the right or left, depending on the direction of rotation. ) And 0.3 inches (7.52 millimeters). The camshaft 503 is rotated either by a handle (not shown) or by a power machine such as an electric motor (not shown).

  Electric motors, if used, can use reduction gears to provide high torque. The electric motor is mounted on the support structure with a limit switch (not shown). The limit switch causes the camshaft 503 to rotate about one half in either direction. Two motors may be used, one for each shaft, or a single motor may be connected to both via a drive mechanism such as a chain.

  Other possible actuation mechanisms may be driven by liquid or gas pressure and provide rotational or linear force. Such a mechanism can be readily designed by one of ordinary skill in the art having read what is disclosed herein. The design is considered to be disclosed herein.

  With continued reference to FIG. 5A of this embodiment, the rotation of the camshaft 503 is limited to be less than 360 degrees and the maximum eccentric locus of the camshaft does not point upward. This reduces the required clearance above the camshaft, thereby reducing the overall height of the mechanism and maintaining a vertical module spacing of 2 inches (approximately 5.08 centimeters). Enable.

  FIG. 5B illustrates the movement of the cold plate 101 as the camshaft 503 rotates to apply pressure to the outer portion 506 of the U-shaped lever. The side surfaces of the plates are pushed away from each other, and the center of the cold plate 101 is bent upward from the module 310 to release the space 507. This pulls module 310 and TIM 411 apart, overcomes any residual adhesion between the two components, and ensures sufficient vertical clearance to pull module 310 out of the support structure.

  The camshaft 503 may also be replaced by a sliding mechanism similar to the drawer-type support slide 202 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. The sliding mechanism will be attached to the end (not shown) as compared to the mounting structure of FIGS. 3A and 3B. At this end position, a slit or pin on the slide can be used to engage the end of the steel plate 509, moving the steel plate left and right in a manner similar to that of the camshaft 503.

  FIG. 5C shows the movement of the cold plate 101 as the camshaft 503 rotates to apply pressure to the inner portion 508 of the U-shaped lever. Both the compressive force and the rotational torque of this applied pressure push down the bottom surface of the cold plate 101 until the cold plate 101 contacts the module 310, causing the space 507 to disappear. If module 310 is not present, the middle of the cold plate will drop approximately 0.6 inches (15.2 millimeters). However, in the presence of the module 310, when the camshaft 503 rotates, the cold plate first contacts the TIM 411 at its center. Next, when the camshaft 503 further rotates, the contact area expands and expands from the center, gradually expanding toward each side until 90% or more of the TIM 411 surface is in contact with the cold plate 101. .

  When the surface of the thin and flat steel plate 509 cannot go further below the TIM 411 or cannot be compressed, the force applied by the camshaft 503 is mainly absorbed by the spring action of the U-shaped bending member. . Tempering and spring of steel plate 509 and cold plate 101, degree of motion transmitted by camshaft 503, length of moment arm on steel plate 509 where camshaft 503 meets U-shaped bending, cold plate 101 and steel plate 509 , And the distance from the cold plate 101 to the module 310, all influence to determine the normal force applied between the cold plate and the module. A higher pressure is desirable, but a minimum pressure of 0.1 PSI (approximately 689 Pascals) should be applied to ensure good thermal contact between the cold plate 101 and the TIM 411. This embodiment can generate a vertical pressure of about 1 PSI (approximately 6.89 kilopascals) and higher in a module surface area of 400 square inches (approximately 0.258 square meters).

  FIG. 5D shows another embodiment of the configuration shown in FIG. 5A. Components including fasteners 405, round steel extensions 504, and a plurality of bottom steel bars 505 are omitted. A plurality of rectangular rods 510 are disposed on a thin flat steel plate 509 and extend to the front and back of the support structure (not shown). The support structure thus holds each of the plurality of rectangular rods 510 firmly in place. As shown in FIG. 5C, when the steel plate 509 is bent inward by the camshaft 503 at the first position 508 and bent downward toward the module 310 as described above with reference to FIG. 5C. The upper surface of the steel plate 509 reacts to rise upward. The steel plate 509 is constrained to each side by a plurality of rectangular rods 510, thereby exerting a downward force on the module 310 and planarizing the entire top surface of the module 310 as previously described.

  When the camshaft 503 rotates outward and upward to the second position as shown in FIG. 5B, the steel plate 509 is bent outward and bent upward as previously described with reference to FIG. 5B. And lifted away from module 310. In this case, the one or more planar tubes 102 of FIGS. 1A-1C need to be attached to the steel plate 509 so that they can be lifted by the steel plate 509. It should be noted that the one or more flat tubes 102 and the steel plate 509 are bent at different radii and thus cannot be rigidly attached to each other without the recovery stiffness of the case. At least three different exemplary methods can be used to lift the tube. Although not described in detail, each method would be readily conceivable after reading the disclosure herein.

  In the first method (not shown), the tubes can be attached to the steel plate 509 by locally bonding the tubes along each other's centerline. A second method (not shown) may be attached by gluing or brazing the bracket to the top surface of the tube, for example to a bracket that loosely engages the receptor on the plate. In the third method, the tube may be bent or punched upward from its plate bent under the tube in a narrow area or tab to engage the tube as shown in FIG. 5E. FIG. 5E shows a part of the steel plate 509 covering a part of the tube 102. The steel plate 509 has a hole 512 cut therein. A tab 513 extends from the end of the hole 512 and is bent under the punch 511 of the plate 509.

  Referring now to FIG. 6, an alternative method is shown, in which the sliding rail is secured as before, the module 310 is not lifted, and the cold plate 101 is neither moved nor bent. The small gap between the upper cold plate 101 associated with the module 310 is filled with an inflatable pouch 601 made of a thermally conductive material and having an elongated valve 604 at one end. A compressible tube 602 filled with air or other gas is disposed on the elongated valve 604. The remainder of the inflatable pouch 601 is substantially filled with a thermally conductive fluid.

  Before the module 310 slides into the cooling framework, the inflatable pouch 601 is directly on the top surface of the module 310 in the support structure under the associated shelf or at the back end of the pouch 601 that overlaps the end of the module 310. Be placed. While the module 310 is being slid into position, or afterwards, the elongated valve 604 at the end of the pouch 601 is compressed against the block 605 at the back of the shelf. The elongate valve 604 is compressed by a lever (not shown) that operates independently from the back of the module 310 or the module 310.

  Compression causes the thermally conductive fluid to flow into the pouch 601, expands the pouch 601, presses the side of the pouch against the cold plate 101 and the module 310, filling a small gap. If the gap is filled before the module 310 or lever reaches the end of movement, the compressible tube 602 in the elongate valve 604 contracts and thus absorbs excess fluid.

  Alternatively, instead of an elongate valve 604 that provides compliance, the block 605 may be other means such as a spring (not shown) that limits how much force can be applied to the fluid in the inflatable pouch 601. May be designed to provide the compliance required by: Other methods of applying a force to the fluid in the pouch 601 between the module 310 and the cold plate 101, such as expansion of the compressible tube 602, etc. are read by those skilled in the art. Are readily recognizable and are therefore considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

  In certain example embodiments, the thermally conductive fluid filling the pouch 601 is an electrically non-conductive, weak viscous fluid that is easily removed from the pouch 601 if the pouch is pierced or otherwise broken. Will not flow out.

  When the module 310 is in place, the contained fluid pressure keeps the coach 601 tightly housed between the module 310 and the cold plate 101. The beginning of any operation of module 310 or the opening of the lever compressing module 310 will reduce the pressure of the fluid in pouch 601 and allow module 310 to be easily removed.

  Alternatively, the pouch 610 may be used in place of a conventional lid, which may be attached to the module 310 in other ways. FIG. 7 shows an expandable port 601 that directly contacts thermal interfaces 702, 704, 712 of multiple electronic components in module 310.

  In the description given above, the module is generally placed under an adjacent cold plate and lifted to contact the cold plate, but on a horizontal cold plate or on a vertically mounted cold plate. Any placement of the module near the cold plate, including placing the modules side by side, is considered within the scope of the present disclosure. One or more modules (of the same size or sizes) may also be mounted on opposite sides of the same cold plate. In addition, the cold plate may be larger than the module so that multiple modules may be mounted on the same cold plate. Conversely, the cold plate may be smaller than the module.

  In another example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a flat heat pipe 801 is used as the second cold plate. A flat heat pipe 801 is secured to the side of the module 310 and the components and subassemblies inside the module 310 are thermally attached to the flat heat pipe 801. Either by attaching the heat pipe 801 to the side of the module 310 or by using the heat pipe 801 as a replacement for the lid in a manner similar to that described with respect to the inflatable port 601 given with reference to FIG. It is possible to make a thermal connection. The flat heat pipe 801 includes a cross section that extends beyond the side of the module that is in thermal contact with the cold plate 101 when the module 310 is inserted.

  The flat heat pipe 801 may extend in a straight line beyond the module 310 that contacts the first cold plate in the same plane as the side of the module from which heat is extracted. Alternatively, the heat pipe 801 is bent around the second side of the module 310 and mounted on the cold plate 101 mounted orthogonally to the first side of the module 310, as shown in FIG. You may make it contact thermally. The bend acts as a flexible spring, whereby the first and second cold plates are thermally bonded by the pressure applied by the action of the spring. A TIM (not shown) is placed between the first and second cold plates.

  The intersection of the surface of the module 310 and the cold plate 101 can be too irregular to make good thermal contact even with the means and methods described above. Conventional TIMs as thermally conductive sheet materials are not highly compressible due to thermal material fillers, and are highly heat conductive, even if highly compressible when the forces described herein are applied. Has no degree. Thermally conductive grease will flow out of large spaces and is difficult to apply and limit within the specified range of use.

  Referring now to FIG. 9, the one or more thermally conductive sheets comprising the first TIM 911 and the thermally conductive grease 900 provide a high compliant thermal interface. The thermally conductive grease is thick enough to flow easily when pressure is applied as described herein, whether it is thicker or smaller depending on the application. The top surface of module 310 may be thermally attached to an adjacent cold plate (not directly shown) in a layer of about 0.01 inches (approximately 0.254 millimeters). Applies to An approximately one-half inch (approximately 12.7 millimeter) frame to which no grease is applied remains around the top edge of module 310. The first TIM having one adhesive side on the lower side is disposed in the entire region including the frame, and seals the heat conductive grease 900 on the entire bottom surface. When the cold plate is engaged with the module 300, the thermally conductive grease 900 flows from the highly compressed area toward the thermal vacuum and fills these vacuums to form a high quality thermal interface. To do.

  In an example embodiment, the thermal conductive grease 900 has a viscosity in the range of 20,000 to 200,000 centipoise (20 to 200 Newton seconds / square meter). In an example embodiment, the thermal conductive grease 900 has a nominal viscosity of about 100,000 centipoise (100 Newton seconds / square meter).

  Those skilled in the art will recognize that the thermal interface, as described herein, has applications beyond the cooling of the outer surface of the module. The thermal interface can be used to thermally bond any two surfaces. For example, the components or subassemblies inside the module that require cooling may be thermally coupled to the inner side of the module using such a thermal interface, either separately or in addition.

  With continued reference to FIG. 9, an additional set of one or more thermally conductive sheets comprising a second TIM 902 is mounted below the module upper region above the device 904 that requires cooling. Thermally conductive grease 901 is inserted between the sheet and the module. In addition, holes (not shown) may be drilled in the top surface of the module to thermally couple the thermally conductive grease 900, 901. The holes allow grease to flow freely between the top and bottom sides of the module, move to a smaller contact area, and improve the thermal connection and thermal conductivity between the cold plate and internal components Bring. Alternatively, the grease may be contained within a sealed pouch, such as the inflatable pouch 601 described with reference to FIG.

  In addition, referring again to FIG. 1B, any space present between one or more flat tubes 102 allows room for excess grease to flow, potentially reducing the thickness of the grease, Reduces the thermal resistance between the cold plate 101 and the module 310 to a minimum, thus ensuring good thermal contact.

  While various embodiments have been described herein, it is apparent that various changes and modifications can be made to these embodiments without departing from the broad purpose and scope of the various embodiments of the present invention. Will. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings, which form a part of the specification, are shown by way of illustration and not for purposes of limitation. Fig. 4 illustrates a specific embodiment in which the inventive subject matter may be implemented. The illustrated embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings described herein. Other embodiments may be used and may be derived from the illustrated embodiments, and structural, logical substitutions and modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. “Modes for Carrying Out the Invention” should therefore not be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the various embodiments covers the entire scope of the appended claims and the equivalents to which those claims are entitled. Defined only by

  Such embodiments of the present inventive subject matter, herein or independently, collectively, in the term “invention”, are merely for convenience and if one or more inventions are actually disclosed. If so, it may be referenced without attempting to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any one invention or inventive concept. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any form planned for the realization of the same purpose may be replaced by the illustrated specific embodiments. It will be recognized that it is good. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

  For example, certain embodiments describe various arrangements, sizes, materials, and system topologies. Such arrangements, sizes, materials, and topologies are provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand the principles of the present disclosure. Thus, for example, many other materials and arrangements can be readily used and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, and on the other hand, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that additional embodiments may be determined by reading the disclosure provided herein.

Claims (31)

A system for providing cooling of electronic components,
One or more cold plates configured to be thermally coupled to one or more of the electronic components, each of the one or more cold plates allowing cooling fluid to flow therethrough. A cold plate having at least one passage configured to:
An input header coupled to a first end of the at least one passage to allow inflow of the cooling fluid;
An output header coupled to a second end of the at least one passage to allow outflow of the cooling fluid;
A coupling mechanism coupling the input header and the output header to an external system for circulating the cooling fluid;
Including system. further,
A support mechanism for supporting the one or more cold plates;
A mounting structure configured to attach the one or more electronic components and to thermally contact the one or more of the electronic components with at least one of the one or more cold plates;
The system of claim 1 comprising:   The thermal interface material further configured to couple the one or more of the electronic components to at least one of the one or more cold plates and increase heat transfer therebetween. System.   The space between the at least one of the one or more cold plates and the thermal interface material coupled to the one or more electronic components is such that the one or more electronic components are inserted into a support structure 4. The system of claim 3, sometimes between 0.03 inches and 0.15 inches.   The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the electronic components include a computing server, data storage, a switch, a router, and a power conversion unit.   The system of claim 1, wherein a thermal resistance from the cooling fluid to the combined one or more electronic components is less than 2 ° C./W/in 2.   The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more cold plates is comprised of a flat tube.   The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more cold plates is comprised of a plurality of flat tubes.   The system of claim 8, wherein ends of the plurality of flat tubes terminate in a manifold.   2. A mounting means for providing incremental separation between a mounted component and the associated one or more cold plates, thereby overcoming any adhesive force with minimal force. System.   The mounting means is a slider configured to first slide the mounted component onto a support structure and then place the mounted component against an associated cold plate. Item 10. The system according to item 10.   The one or more cold plates are configured to bend to form a convex plane toward or away from the combined one or more of the electronic components. 1 system.   13. The system of claim 12, wherein the one or more cold plates have an attached steel plate with an integrated lever for controlling the amount of bending.   2. A flat flexible heat pipe that acts as a second cold plate for conducting heat from the one or more of the electronic components to at least one of the one or more cold plates. System. A flexible cold plate,
A plurality of tubes coupled adjacent to each other in a substantially planar configuration, wherein the plurality of tubes are configured to allow cooling liquid to flow therethrough;
A first manifold connecting a first set of ends of the plurality of tubes;
A second manifold connecting a second set of ends of the plurality of tubes, wherein the first manifold and the second manifold provide circulation of the cooling fluid within the plurality of tubes A second manifold configured to couple to the
Means for bending the flexible cold plate;
A flexible cold plate.   The flexible cold plate of claim 15, further comprising a flexible spring plate coupled to the plurality of tubes, wherein the flexible spring plate is configured to bend the flexible cold plate.   The cold plate of claim 16, wherein the flexible spring plate is configured to provide an extension that acts as a lever to bend the flexible cold plate.   The flexible cold plate of claim 15, wherein a convex surface is created by bending the flexible cold plate.   19. The flexible cold plate of claim 18, wherein the maximum arc depth of the convex surface is between 0.1 and 0.6 inches from the unbent side of the flexible cold plate.   The flexible cold plate of claim 15 further comprising a thermally conductive interface comprising at least two sheets of thermally conductive material encapsulating thermally conductive grease. A method for cooling a plurality of electronic device modules, comprising:
Each of the plurality of electronic device modules is disposed proximate to at least a selected one of one or more cold plates in a support structure, each of the plurality of electronic device modules being the one Being arranged to provide thermal contact with at least the selected one of the above cold plates;
Coupling at least the selected one of the one or more cold plates to an external cooling system;
Circulating a cooling fluid between the external cooling system and an internal passage of the one or more cold plates;
Including methods. further,
Thermally contacting each of the plurality of electronic device modules with at least the selected one of the one or more cold plates;
Inserting the electronic device module horizontally into the support structure without contact between the electronic device module and the cold plate;
Moving either the electronic device module or the cold plate in the direction of each other, thereby bringing the module and the cold plate into thermal contact with each other without sliding motion. The method of claim 21 comprising.   Further, each of the plurality of electronic device modules is incrementally thermally coupled to at least the selected one of the one or more cold plates, thereby providing extra space between the modules and the cold plate. 22. The method of claim 21, comprising releasing fresh air.   23. Inserting an inflatable pouch filled with a thermally conductive fluid between the plurality of electronic device modules and at least the selected one of the one or more cold plates. the method of.   24. The method of claim 21, further comprising bending at least a portion of at least the selected one of the one or more cold plates to thermally contact at least one of the plurality of electronic device modules. A method for cooling an electronic module, comprising:
Attaching a thin and flexible cold plate close to the electronic module, the cold plate having spring-like properties;
Bending the thin flexible cold plate to provide a convex surface towards the electronic module;
Bringing the cold plate and the electronic module into thermal contact with each other by gradually planarizing the convex surface;
Including methods.   27. The method of claim 26, further comprising disposing a thermal interface material between the electronic module and the thin flexible cold plate. A system for cooling electronic components,
A thermally conductive interface comprising at least one sheet of thermally conductive material configured to attach to at least one of said electronic components;
A thermally conductive grease encapsulated between at least one of the electronic components and the thermally conductive interface;
Including system. Further, one or more cold plates configured to be thermally coupled onto one of the electronic components, having at least one passage that allows cooling fluid to flow therethrough. The one or more cold plates;
30. The system of claim 28, comprising:   29. The system of claim 28, wherein the thermally conductive grease has a viscosity in the range of 20 to 200 Newton seconds / square meter.   30. The system of claim 28, wherein the thermally conductive grease has a viscosity in the range of about 100 Newton seconds / square meter.